Ingenious Methods to Seal a Bag Without a Sealer: A Comprehensive Guide

Preserving the freshness of food and other items is crucial, and sealing bags plays a vital role in this. However, the absence of a vacuum sealer should not hinder your efforts. This guide will unveil innovative techniques to effectively seal bags without the need for specialized equipment.

Water Displacement Method: A Simple and Effective Technique

The water displacement method is a remarkably simple yet effective way to seal a bag without a sealer. Follow these steps:

Gather Materials: You will need a large pot or tub filled with water, the bag you wish to seal, and a straw or chopstick.
Insert Straw or Chopstick: Insert a straw or chopstick into the opening of the bag, ensuring it reaches the bottom.
Submerge Bag: Slowly lower the bag into the water, keeping the straw or chopstick inserted. As the bag submerges, water pressure will force air out through the opening.
Seal Opening: Just before the bag is completely submerged, quickly seal the opening with your fingers or a clip.
Remove Bag: Pull the sealed bag out of the water and remove the straw or chopstick.

Heat Sealing Method: For Durable and Airtight Seals

Heat sealing is another effective method for sealing bags without a sealer. This technique utilizes the heat from a hair dryer or clothing iron to melt the plastic, creating a durable and airtight seal.

Gather Materials: You will need a hair dryer or clothing iron, a clean cloth or parchment paper, and the bag you wish to seal.
Prepare Bag: Place the bag on a flat surface and fold the opening over by about 1 inch.
Cover with Cloth: Place a clean cloth or parchment paper over the folded opening to protect the bag from direct heat.
Apply Heat: Using a hair dryer on its highest heat setting or a clothing iron on its lowest heat setting, gently apply heat to the cloth or parchment paper over the folded opening.
Seal Bag: Hold the heat source in place for a few seconds, allowing the plastic to melt and seal.

Other Creative Sealing Methods

Tape Method: For quick and temporary seals, you can use tape to seal the opening of the bag. Ensure the tape is wide enough to cover the entire opening and press down firmly to create a secure seal.
Rubber Band Method: Rubber bands can be used to create a tight seal around the opening of the bag. Wrap the rubber band around the opening several times and secure it with a knot.
String or Twine Method: String or twine can be used to tie the opening of the bag closed. Wrap the string or twine around the opening several times and tie it securely.

Sealing bags without a sealer is entirely possible with the techniques outlined in this guide. The water displacement method is ideal for creating airtight seals, while the heat sealing method provides durable and long-lasting seals. For quick and temporary seals, tape, rubber bands, string, or twine can be used effectively. By embracing these innovative methods, you can preserve the freshness of your food and other items without the need for specialized equipment.

Which Plastic Bags to Use?

Buy brand name zip-top plastic freezer bags for this method, which are more sturdy and have stronger seals than off-brand bags or regular zip-top bags. I use Ziploc Freezer Bags, both gallon- and quart-sized.

The longevity of freezer bags through frequent reuse is an additional benefit. I wash and reuse all of my plastic bags until they practically fall apart because I want to avoid contributing as much waste to the landfills as the next person. These bags are still useful for holding lunch sandwiches, snacks, leftovers, and similar items even after the seal isn’t as strong. (The only time I wouldn’t throw them away would be if I used the bag to store raw meat.) ).

how can i seal a bag without a sealer

How to Seal Solid Foods

For sealing solid foods such as veggies, dried grains and beans, chicken breasts, and the like, use this method:

Place a kitchen towel next to a large bowl or stock pot that has been filled with water.
Put the food in a plastic bag that you wish to vacuum seal. If at all possible, place the food in an even layer as opposed to balling it up. This facilitates faster freezing and later thawing (or, in the case of sous vide cooking, more even cooking).
Using your hands, expel as much air as you can, closing the seal nearly completely. Leave a little corner of the top unsealed.
Lower the bag into the water while holding it by its open corner. Press out any trapped air bubbles with the food using your other hand.
Press the seal shut once you’ve reached the unopened corner where you’re holding the bag.

The plastic’s sides ought to conform to the food when you lift the bag out of the water. Check the seal and follow the previous instructions again if the bag appears loose or has a lot of air inside it.

Once sealed, lay the bag on the towel to dry. Now is the time to freeze, store, or prepare sous vide food.

how can i seal a bag without a sealer

How to Seal a Bag of Chips without a Clip

FAQ

What can I use to reseal a bag?

Twist-tie method: Twist the opening of the plastic bag to create a tight seal, and then secure it with a twist-tie. Binder clip method: Fold the opening of the plastic bag a few times and then secure it with a binder clip. Bag sealer: Use a bag sealer, which is a tool specifically designed to seal plastic bags.

What can I use instead of vacuum seal bags?

Yes, it’s possible to vacuum seal your food at home without a vacuum sealer! All you need is a zip-top plastic freezer bag and a bowl of water. Easy-peasy, but I’ll get into the details below. This method is great for those of us who only occasionally have need of vacuum sealer and don’t want to invest in buying one.

How do you seal a plastic food bag?

Holding the bag by the unsealed corner, lower it into the water. Use your other hand to press out any air bubbles that might get trapped with the food. Once you reach the unsealed corner where you’re holding the bag, press the seal closed. When you lift the bag out of the water, the sides of the plastic should be molded to the food.

How do you seal a bag with a straw?

First, press out as much air as possible by hand, then insert the straw in a corner of the bag and seal the bag around it. Suck out the air through the straw until you see the bag collapse around the contents of the bag, then — while still maintaining suction — slowly pull out the straw and quickly seal the rest of the bag.

Can You vacuum seal freezer bags?

While not as perfect as an actual vacuum sealer, reducing the amount of air in your freezer bags with either of these methods will help slow down freezer burn and keep foods at their best while in their frozen state. Do you have another favorite method for “vacuum-sealing” your freezer bags?

Can You vacuum seal food without a vacuum sealer?

It’s easy to vacuum seal foods without a vacuum sealer, and all you need is a zip-top bag and a pot of water. You can seal both dry and liquid food with this method and it takes less than 2 minutes: Add water to a large pot or container. Season or marinate food if needed, and then place the food in a zip-lock bag, and arrange it in a single layer.